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Bernales tapped to lead NBI-7

Philippines | Luzon

Bernales tapped to lead NBI-7

By Calvin Cordova

CEBU CITY – Lawyer Patricio Bernales Jr. has been appointed National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-7) director.

Bernales replaced lawyer Renan Augustus Oliva who served as NBI-7 chief since August 2020.

“We will do what my predecessor did. We have the same intention, to investigate cases so that truth and justice will prevail,” Bernales told reporters on Tuesday, September 12.

Bernales said he is not new to Central Visayas as he was assigned to the region five years ago.

He said that under his leadership, the NBI-7 will provide necessary assistance to help achieve peace and order in the region.

“Rest assured, I will be your partner in that pursuit,” said Bernales.

Bernales said one of the cases that the NBI-7 is willing to help out is the case of Rhea Mae Tocmo, the 19-year-old woman from Panabo City whose body was found stuffed in an abandoned box in Barangay Tisa here last July.

A murder complaint has been filed against 21-year-old construction worker Simeon Gabutero who admitted killing her during an argument in his boarding house.

Bernales confirmed that Tocmo’s family has asked the NBI-7 reinvestigate the case. The NBI-7 will only step in if the family formalizes their request by showing up in their office.

The victim's family believed that there were other persons involved in the crime.

Bernales advised the family not to doubt the result of the investigation conducted by the Labangon Police Station.

“Let us trust the police. The police and the NBI-7 have the same purpose, to investigate cases. The police investigated this case not for their benefit but for the truth to come out,” said Bernales.

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